Learner driver who pulled out at Hare Green blackspot ordered to pay more than £300

A learner driver who pulled out into oncoming traffic at a notorious accident blackspot was ordered to pay more than £300.

Ronald Payot was driving a Citroen Picasso when he pulled out at the notorious Hare Green accident blackspot on Harwich Road and collided with an Audi A1 on the A120.

A passenger who sat in the back seat of the Citroen suffered a fractured rib and spent two days in hospital, following the accident on July 9 last year.

Another Audi was also initially reported to have been involved in the collision and police launched a man hunt for the driver after believing they had fled the scene following the collision, but this was not mentioned in the court case.

Payot, 43, of Hythe Hill, Colchester, appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday afternoon after previously pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention and driving without a full licence.

The court heard Payot only had a provisional licence at the time of the offence but did not have a supervising driver in the car and was not displaying L plates.

He offered no mitigation at Thursday’s hearing but had previously said he had misjudged the speed of the traffic and the site was known to police.

Chairman of the bench James Addison said: “In reaching our decision we have taken into account your early guilty plea.”

Payot was fined £207, given six points on his licence, ordered to pay costs of £90 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Comments (3)

Did the passenger in the back know that the driver hadn't passed his test? Isn't it a bit like when you get into a car with someone who you know's been drinking, that you are also responsible??

Did the passenger in the back know that the driver hadn't passed his test? Isn't it a bit like when you get into a car with someone who you know's been drinking, that you are also responsible??The Stinker Returns

The driver of the Audi could have been killed. This irresponsible person jumped in a car knowing that he needed L-Plates, and a supervising driver. No doubt because he had neither his insurance would be null and void as well. If he didn't own the car then who did should have received these penalties as well for knowingly lending a vehicle to a learner. If he did own the car then it should be seized and he should receive a ban for 12 months from the date he ever passes his test.

The driver of the Audi could have been killed. This irresponsible person jumped in a car knowing that he needed L-Plates, and a supervising driver. No doubt because he had neither his insurance would be null and void as well. If he didn't own the car then who did should have received these penalties as well for knowingly lending a vehicle to a learner. If he did own the car then it should be seized and he should receive a ban for 12 months from the date he ever passes his test.Scoot

As a person who regularly uses these junctions I have said all along its not the road that is dangerous but the stupid and incompetent people that use it that are dangerous. They need police to regularly check those junctions because I have seen the most horrendous driving along there.

As a person who regularly uses these junctions I have said all along its not the road that is dangerous but the stupid and incompetent people that use it that are dangerous. They need police to regularly check those junctions because I have seen the most horrendous driving along there.Lawford Lass